On the face of it, China has only played a minor mediatory role in the US-Iran war, meeting with Pakistani officials and apparently helping to convince the Iranians to join peace talks in Islamabad.
But Beijing has a huge economic stake in this war and that is what has prompted the sternest warning so far from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, describing US President Donald Trump’s decision to blockade the Strait of Hormuz as “dangerous and irresponsible”.
Speaking at a daily press briefing in Beijing Guo Jiakun said: “Such actions will only intensify contradictions, exacerbate tensions, undermine the already fragile ceasefire, and further jeopardize the security of navigation through the strait.”
Up until now Chinese vessels, have been among the few managing to make their way through the strait, either with the permission of Iran, or having reportedly paid a million-dollar toll.
Iran has insisted that the strait is open to allies, those with which it has good relations and can negotiate directly.
China, Malaysia, India and Pakistan are among the countries who have managed to get tankers through, but only a handful have safely transited the strait in the last month.
China is by far the biggest trading partner of not just Iran, but most of the Gulf region.
China is the biggest trading partner of most countries in the Gulf region. Credit: AP
While, so far, its large economy and varied energy infrastructure has been somewhat insulated from the crisis created by the war, that won’t be the case if the conflict continues and the Strait of Hormuz becomes a military battleground.
The angry response from the Chinese Foreign Ministry is also aimed at the US president’s comments that China would be hit with 50% tariffs if it’s found to be supplying Iran with weapons.
Reports over the weekend suggested that a shipment of dual-use technologies and component parts was making its way from China to Iran via third countries.
The foreign ministry in Beijing has labelled those reports as “groundless smears” and an attempt to “hype” China’s role in the Iran war.
It is almost impossible to confirm such a shipment is taking place, but we do know that China provides an economic lifeline for Iran, buying sanctioned oil and selling dual-use technology.
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There is also evidence that some of the weapons used by Iran in this war have come in part or whole from China.
For years the Chinese have supplied Iran with drones, missiles, component parts and even chemicals that support the country’s military capabilities.
It’s also believed that together with the Russians, the Chinese have provided satellite intelligence to the Iranians.
Donald Trump has already postponed his much-heralded state visit to China once, but it’s currently scheduled to take place in mid-May.
If the US president continues to threaten Chinese economic interests in the Middle East, he may find himself uninvited.
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